BOTOX®

Effective wrinkle treatment

BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most highly recognized, non-surgical cosmetic procedures available today. Administered by a skilled professional, it is a safe and effective treatment for dynamic wrinkles—those that deepen when a muscle contracts. BOTOX is most commonly used to treat moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows, but is also used to treat forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, lip depressors, neck bands and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Dr. Dawes will evaluate your skin thickness and type, degree of wrinkling and personal goals for the most effective use of BOTOX Cosmetic injections. This procedure can also be combined with other skin rejuvenation procedures for minimally-invasive enhancements to your skin.

How BOTOX® works

BOTOX is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified toxin produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. It is a safe and effective product when administered by a skilled professional. It works by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine, which triggers the muscle contractions that create wrinkles. When injected, BOTOX paralyzes muscles and prevents them from contracting. Within the next three to five days, the injected muscles begin to weaken, thereby diminishing or preventing wrinkles caused by contracting muscles.

How BOTOX® injections are performed

Following a facial analysis by Dr. Dawes and a discussion of your desired outcome, the procedure itself usually takes about 15 minutes to perform. A minute amount of BOTOX is injected very precisely into the muscle being treated. Discomfort associated with the injection is minimal (often compared to the sensation of a bug bite). No sedation or local anesthetic is required.

Recovery expectations

BOTOX injections are quick, simple and have no downtime—you may resume normal activities immediately. Do not rub or massage the treated areas for a few days. You may experience temporary localized swelling, bruising and discomfort as a result of the injection. Treatment results are typically visible within one week and generally last three to six months.

FAQs

What is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Used in small amounts, it paralyzes muscles and prevents them from contracting, thereby diminishing or preventing associated wrinkles.

Will my face lose animation, giving me a ‘frozen’ look?

BOTOX Cosmetic is intended to enhance the way you look, not change it. When administered by an experienced physician, you can still smile, frown and be expressive. The treatment relaxes only the muscles beneath the lines at the point of injection, so other elements of your facial expression remain active. There is also no effect on the sensory nerves, so you will have a normal feeling in the treated areas.

How long can I expect my BOTOX treatment to last?

Results can vary for each individual; the average is three-to-four months when proper BOTOX dilution is used.

Who can perform BOTOX injections in Alberta?

Those who can be licensed to administer BOTOX injections are limited to:

Physicians actively licensed by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta

Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners actively licensed by the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, who are injecting with sufficient education and training in this procedure, and with support from a physician

Licensed Practical Nurses actively registered with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta who are injecting with additional education and training in this procedure, and with support from a physician

Aestheticians, medical aestheticians and dentists are NOT licensed to administer BOTOX in Alberta unless they meet the above criteria

How long has BOTOX been approved in Canada?

BOTOX has been licensed in Canada since 1990 as a safe and effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions. In 2001, Health Canada approved its use specifically for wrinkle therapy. BOTOX has become the most popular physician-administered cosmetic treatment in North America, with an estimated three-million treatments performed annually.

How do I find the right medical professional to administer BOTOX?

It is important to ensure your BOTOX procedure is administered by a fully-licensed practitioner who:

Is licensed in Alberta for injections (please see FAQ ‘Who can perform BOTOX injections in Alberta?’)

Has experience in injections and cosmetic procedures, with additional training in injecting BOTOX, and who is prepared and qualified to handle any complications

Has a very strong knowledge of facial anatomy

Is someone you are completely comfortable with and trust

What are the most common side effects?

BOTOX injections are generally well-tolerated. Some common side effects are localized discomfort or tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising and headache—which usually resolve within one week. Patients may experience uneven or an incomplete response to treatment. Rarely, patients have been reported to develop a slight lowering of an eyelid (ptosis), or slight lowering of the forehead. This is usually temporary and resolves within a few weeks. During consultation, Dr. Dawes will discuss all risks of your particular treatment, which will also be fully-disclosed in writing prior to treatment.

Who cannot have BOTOX treatments?

There are very few restrictions regarding the use of BOTOX. Those who are pregnant, nursing or have a neurological disease should not be treated. Please contact our office for more information.